Leica: Nikon to announce APS-C-sized sensor compact?

Leonard Goh | Sep 15, 2009

The Leica X1. (Credit: Leonard Goh/CNET Asia)

At Leica's launch event for the M9 and X1 held in Singapore yesterday, Sunil Kaul, regional director of Asia Pacific for Leica Camera AG, mentioned that the X1 uses an APS-C-sized imaging sensor. According to Kaul, this sensor is manufactured by Sony, and is apparently going to be used in one of Nikon's upcoming cameras which he cannot disclose.

A few years ago, Nikon said it would develop a compact camera with an APS-C-sized sensor, which would give point-and-shoots a dSLR-like picture quality. But nothing has been delivered since and that's ruffled some shutterbugs' feathers. Will the shooter that Kaul mentioned be the long-anticipated snapper which Nikon promised?

Of course, it could be a dSLR, but looking at the Japanese company's product lineup this year, it appears there shouldn't be anymore APS-C-sized sensor dSLR, unless it's a replacement for the D90. Hence, there is a good chance that a Nikon version of the X1 may be in the pipeline.

We have contacted Nikon Singapore regarding this and are awaiting an official reply from the firm.

Update: Nikon Singapore has replied and the firm said "based on the current outlook, we do not foresee a similar product range as the Leica X1."

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